Clay County caught off guard by private power plant construction
Officials and residents in Clay County, Indiana, were unaware of a private power plant under construction near Carbon, reportedly intended for a nearby data center. The lack of transparency has sparked opposition and calls for new zoning ordinances or a moratorium on data center development. County commissioners are actively working on an ordinance and plan to meet with the governor's office.
Construction of a new power generating station near Carbon in Clay County, Indiana, has begun, catching local officials and residents off guard. The plant is rumored to power a nearby data center, sparking concerns about a lack of transparency and potential impacts on the area. Clay County Commissioner Bryan Heffner stated he learned about the development through outside sources and was not contacted regarding any data center proposals or locations.
Residents and commissioners are raising strong objections. Commissioner Heffner expressed anger over the secrecy, emphasizing the need for open dialogue. In a statement on June 12, the Clay County Commissioners declared their opposition to data center development in the county and confirmed they are drafting an ordinance to address current and future projects of this type.
Resident Paul Gable highlighted the absence of zoning regulations outside of Brazil city limits as a significant vulnerability, suggesting that zoning could have made the power plant's progression more difficult. Gable urged commissioners to consider a moratorium for at least a year to allow officials time to understand and address the issue. Heffner confirmed that the commissioners have not signed any non-disclosure agreements regarding data centers and are scheduling a meeting with the governor's office to gather more information. Blue Power LLC, the company associated with the power plant, did not respond to requests for comment.